Connecting the Issues to the Office

Federal Ruling Against Michigan’s Ban on Straight-Party Voting

In a ruling with strong implications for the Nov. 8 presidential election in Michigan, a federal judge on Thursday blocked Michigan’s recent ban on straight-party voting, saying the change would result in longer lines and wait times at polling places and that it would disadvantage black voters the most.[1]

“The court finds (the law) presents a disproportionate burden on African Americans’ right to vote,” partly because, in Michigan’s most populous counties, there is a strong correlation between the size of the black voting population and the use of straight-ticket voting, U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain, who issued a preliminary injunction against the state law, said in a written opinion.

The plaintiff, Michigan chapter of the A Philip Randolph Institute, states straight-ticket voting is a 125-year tradition in Michigan, and its elimination, just months before a presidential election likely to see high turnout, would create confusion educational efforts couldn’t make up for and create a hardship for voters. [2]

WEMU reports on July 26 [3], Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson filed an appeal against the ruling.

Municipal clerks hope voters will have straight-party option on November ballot. Implementing the change they describe will be a nightmare due to the questions seasoned voters will have at the polls.[4]